The Hyderabad batsman scored 73 runs off 79 balls and added 81 off 21.4 overs for the ninth-wicket with Ishant Sharma (31) after it seemed the tourists were closing in on victory.
India reached the 216-run target half an hour before the tea break despite the best efforts of Ben Hilfenhaus, who took four for 57.
India had been pushed onto the back foot after Doug Bollinger's two-wicket burst reduced them to 162 for eight at lunch.
But Laxman and Ishant turned things around in the final hour, though India had to overcome a huge scare as the paceman was harshly adjudged lbw when 11 runs were required.
However, the Hyderabad batsman managed to see India home in the company of number 11 Pragyan Ojha (five not out), who hung around during the testing final moments and was lucky to survive a confident lbw shout.
India's triumph was built on the back of a superb bowling performance by Zaheer Khan, who claimed match figures of eight for 137, and fine contributions from Sachin Tendulkar (98 and 38) and Rahul Dravid and Suresh Raina, who made 77 and 86 respectively in the first innings.
But it was Laxman's performance which proved to be the game-changer as the 35-year-old fought his stiff back and the rampaging Australia bowlers to pull off a sensational victory.
Laxman's heroics follow his match-winning century in the second innings against Sri Lanka in Colombo in August which helped India to level the series 1-1.
But one should never forget Ishant Sharma's effort of 3 wickets in the second innings after being ruled out on day 2 and come back and score 31runs in a complete entangled tensed situation.
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